Key case



1964 w. B. STILLER ETAL 3,119,429

KEY CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 14, 1963 INVENTORS WILLIAM B.STILLEH 8 I1ICHAEL STILLER FIG.4

ATTORNEY FIG.3

Jan. 28, 1964 w. B. STILLER ETAL KEY CASE Filed Aug. 14, 1963 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS WILLIAM B. STILLER 8 MICHAEL STILLER BY (0M WMATTORNEY United States Patent 3,119,429 KEY CASE William B. Stiller andMichael Stiller, Akron, Ulric, assignors to Quikey ManufacturingCompany, Akron, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Aug. 14, 1963, Ser.No. 392,054 6 Claims. (Cl. 150-44)) This invention relates to the art ofkey cases, and in particular relates to that type of key case whereinkeys as a group are selectively moved in and out of a carrying pouch forthe same, with such movement being initiated upon the application ofcollapsing pressure against the edge portions of the key case.

In Stiller Patent No. 2,912,030, there is disclosed a key case of thegeneral type herein being described, with movement of the keys, as aunit, being controlled by a retaining strap that moves relatively of thecarrying pouch between fully extended and partially extended condition,to thus permit the keys to be moved between the interior and theexterior of the carrying pouch for the same.

While the key case as shown in the aforementioned US. Patent No.2,912,030 has achieved a certain degree of commercial success, it hasnonetheless been found that the same is possessed of certaindisadvantages.

First, the same requires basically a two-hand type of operation with onehand being used for the purpose of supporting the key case, while theother hand is used to manipulate the strap in the manner shown in theafore said patent.

Second, the longevity or useful life of such an item is predicatedsolely on the durability of the retaining strap, and since this strap isof necessity thin and is subjected to constant usage, it has been foundthat the same wears prematurely, with the result that the key case isoften discarded due to a broken strap when the remaining components ofthe pouch are perfectly serviceable for further use.

It has been discovered that the aforementioned disadvantages can beobviated by eliminating the retaining strap above discussed, with thesame being replaced by an internally positioned key supporting meansthat serves to support an endless key chain with respect to the interiorof the key pouch. In this fashion, and with all components internallypositioned, it is no longer necessary to manipu late a strap to effectkey release with mere side pressure being required to drop the keys intoextended position as will hereinafter be described.

Production of an improved key case having the above advantagesaccordingly becomes the principal object of this invention, with otherobjects thereof becoming more apparent upon a reading of the briefspecification, considered and interpreted in the light of theaccompanying drawings.

Of the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the improved key case having keyspositioned interiorly thereof in normal storage position.

FIGURE 2 is a similar perspective view, but showing the key pouch beingcollapsed to permit quick release of the keys to the extended positionshown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical view taken on the lines 3, 3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical view taken on the lines 4, 4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a horizontal section taken on the lines 5, 5 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section taken on the lines 6, 6 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a plan View partially broken away in section showing amodified form of the invention.

3,1 19, 42 9. Patented Jan. 28, 1984 ice FIGURE 8 is an end viewpartially broken away and in section of the key case shown in FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 9 is a plan view of a further modified form of the invention.

FIGURES 10 and 11 are plan and end elevations, respectively, that arepartly broken away and in section to illustrate a still furthermodification of the invention.

FIGURE 12 is a plan view partially broken away in sec tion showing astill further modified form of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings 1 through 6 and in particular to FIGURE 1,the improved key case, generally designated by the numeral 10, is shownas including a unitary, open-ended pouch 11 that has interiorlysupported key supporting means 12 (FIGURES 3, 4, 5 and 6) about which akey chain 13 can be played so as to support a series of keys 14, 14,with the keys and the carrying chain therefor being moved from thestored position of FIG- URE 1 to the extended position of FIGURE 2 uponthe application of edge pressure by the fingers of the user, as shown inFIGURE 2.

With reference to the detailed construction of the pouch 11, it will benoted that the same includes opposed fiat wall surfaces 2%} and 21 thatmerge into opposed edge walls 22 and 23 and an end wall 24, with thesecomponent portions being integral to each other to define a onepieceunitary body member, and with the preferred material being a plasticcompound such as polyvinyl chloride that lends itself to formation ofthe just described pouch by well-known dipping means.

In this regard, however, it is to be noted that While the resiliency ofthe body is important, the material thereof is not limited to the use ofpolyvinyl chloride, with other flexible rubbery materials that havesimilar recovery property, such as rubber, being equally usable for thepurpose of constructing the pouch.

Referring next to FIGURES 3 and 4, it will be noted that an integralendless ledge, indicated by the numeral 25, is shown provided on theinner wall of the just described pouch 11, with this ledge 25 projectinginwardly to define shoulders or support surfaces for thechain-supporting means 12 that will now be described.

In this regard, and referring first to FIGURES 3 through 6, it will benoted that the chain-supporting means 12 includes a block-like bodyportion 26 that is contoured to be supported on the ledge 25, with theexterior surfaces thereof being in engagement with the inner surfaces ofthe wall 24, as clearly shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings. Anarcuate groove 28 is further provided in the outer edge surface of theblock member 25, with this groove 28 receiving the chain member 13 inshiftable relationship therewith, as clearly shown in the drawings, andwith the chain being retained in place by virtue of the fact that thesurface of the interior wall 24 closes at least a portion of this grooveso as to preclude disengagement of the chain from the support means 12during use.

With reference to the key chain 13, it will be noted that the same is ofstandard configuration and is provided with the usual fastening meansthat permit the ends thereof to be connected together to form an endlessloop. As an important feature of this invention, it is to be noted thatthe length of the chain is shown sufficient to permit the looped end toproject to the open end of the pouch at all times, with such structurebeing required to permit the keys to be completely dislodged, as shownin FIGURE 2 of the drawings.

In use or operation of the improved key case, it will first be assumedthat the component parts will be assembled to the position shown in thedrawings, with the key chain 13 having been placed on thechain-supporting means 12 and with this assembly having been snappedinto place above the ledge 25 so that the component parts assume theposition shown in FIGURES 4 or 6, for example.

At this time, the edge walls 22 and 23 may be moved together by fingerpressure of the type shown in FIGURE 2, and the opening of the pouchwill become substantially round in contour so as to facilitate easyinsertion of the key and chain, with the inserted position of the keyand chain in storage position being shown in FIGURES 1, 3 and 4 of thedrawings.

At such time as is desired to use the case in question, the user needmerely hold the open end down and apply finger pressure to the opposedsides to move the same together. At this time, the wall members and 21will become bowed apart and the mouth opening of the pouch will again beenlarged to permit the keys to drop out to the position shown in FIGURES2 and 6.

It is to be noted that the wall surfaces 21? and 21 serve a usefulpurpose of assisting to retain the keys in place during periods ofnon-use, with the deformation of these walls by the stored keys 14, 14serving to bow the walls outwardly and thus retain the keys againstaccidental dislodgement as clearly shown in FIGURE 3. Obviously,however, when this distorted condition is relieved by finger pressure(as shown in FIGURE 2), the keys will be free to fall downward to theinfluence of gravity.

The modified form of the invention, shown in FIG- URES 7 and 8,envisions the use of a modified form of chain-supporting means, andaccordingly, the pouch and chain members correspond substantially to theform of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 through 6, with the exceptionthat these pouches are not provided with integral ledges of the typeshown in FIGURES 1 through 6. Accordingly, and in reference to thedescription of the pouch, the same numbers will be used as were used inconnection with FIGURES 1 through 6.

Accordingly and referring to FIGURES 7 and 8, it will be noted that theopposed walls 20 and 21 are provided with opposed apertures 211a and 20bthrough which may be passed the male and female halves 50 and 51 of apost and bolt connection of a type well known in the art, with key chain13 being looped over the post assembly as clearly shown in the drawings.

Operation of this modified form of the invention is as previouslydescribed in connection with FIGURES 1 through 6 and does not requireredescription at this point.

The modified form of the invention shown in FIGURE 9 utilizes theidentical pouch shown in FIGURES 1 through 6, with a substitute springclip 60 being employed in lieu of the previously describedchain-supporting means 12 of FIGURES 1 through 6. As shown in FIGURE 9,the clip 60 is preferably of fiat steel material so as to have opposededges 61 and 62 that can rest on the ledge as shown in FIGURE 9. In thisregard, the width of the clip 60 preferably corresponds to the distancebetween walls 20, 21, with the clip 60 being formed with an integralloop 63 therein through which the chain 13 may be passed, as clearlyshown in FIGURE 9 of the drawings.

As an important feature of a modified form of the invention as shown inFIGURE 9, it will be noted that the chain 13, in its free condition, isdisposed at right angles to the plane of the walls 20 and 21, as shownin FIGURES 1 through 6 of the drawings. The net effect of this is toposition the key 14, 14 in FIGURE 9 in parallel relation with such wallsurfaces 20, 21, with such positioning serving to enhance the retractingof the key to the storage position shown in FIGURE 1 of the drawings.

The modified form of the invention shown in FIGURES 10 and 11 envisionsthe use of a plain pouch 70 having an end wall 71 and opposed flat walls72 and 73 that merge into edge walls to define the pouch of the typeherein being described. The end wall 71 of FIGURES 10 and 11 is shownprovided with a slot 74 which, due to the rubbery nature of the bodymaterial as previously described, can be stretched to permit insertionof the loop end 75 of the chain carrier 76, with the chain carrier 76 4serving the same function as the previously described chain carriers ofFIGURES 1 through 9 and with the flanged ends 77, 77 resting on theouter surface of the wall 71 as clearly shown in FIGURE 11 of thedrawings.

Again, upon assembly of the component parts of the modified form of theinvention shown in FIGURE 11 to the position shown therein, operationwill be eifectuated as previously described.

In the forms of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 through 11, all of thechain carriers have been positioned adjacent the closed end of the pouchin opposed relationship to the open end thereof.

In the modified form of the invention shown in FIG- URE 12, however, thechain keeper 85 is shown positioned on the edge wall 81 of the pouch 3G,with the pouch being of a similar configuration to the previouslydescribed pouches, other than for the provision of a ledge surface 82 onthe interior surface of the wall 81, with this ledge surface 82 servingto support the clip 85 that is preferably identical in contour to theclip 6% described in connection with FIGURE 9. Under this circumstance,the ends of the clip 85 are supported with respect to the pouch byengagement with the front and rear flat walls 86 and 87, as well as withthe support ledge 82, as shown in FIG- URE 12.

The obvious advantage of the form of the invention shown in FIGURE 12 isthat the same facilitates easier positioning of the chain carrier withrespect to the pouch, due to the fact that the area of support is morereadily accessible than is the case in the pouch shown in FIGURES 1through 11.

While a full and complete description of the invention has been setforth in accordance with the dictates of the patent statutes, it is tobe understood that the invention is no intended to be limited to thescope herein shown.

Thus, it is fully contemplated, as noted before, that the material ofthe pouch can be varied so long as the same remains flexible andpossesses recovery properties, with it also being understood that whilea unitary pouch is shown, that the invention contemplates the use of atwo-piece pouch wherein a sleeve of material has one end thereof closedby a complementally contoured cap. Also, while the chain has been shownas forming a continuous loop in the preferred form of the invention, itis to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited tothis form, since, obviously, other cord or like materials could beemployed, either in single strand or loop fashion, as desired, with italso being noted that the length of the cord could be less than shown,provided that other means, such as elastic string, etc., were providedto permit the keys to be positioned exteriorly of the pouch, as abovedescribed.

Accordingly, modifications of the invention may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A key case of the character described, comprising;

(1) a unitary flexible open-end pouch formed of rubbery material andincluding substantially parallel fiat wall surfaces that integrallymerge with the edge walls of said pouch;

(2) at least one support shoulder formed in the body portion of saidpouch;

(3) chain supporting means supported interiorly of said pouch by saidsupport shoulder;

(4) a key chain having its ends connected to form an endless loop ((1)carried by said chain supporting means and (b) having a lengthsuflicient to permit the same to be extended in free condition throughsaid open end to a position exteriorly of said pouch.

2. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that saidsupport shoulder projects inwardly towards the interior of said pouchwith the same being formed adjacent the closed end of said pouch.

3. The device of claim 2 further characterized by the fact that saidchain supporting means include a blocklike member having a chainreceiving groove opening outwardly thereof, with a portion of saidgroove being enclosed by said pouch when said chain supporting means arepositioned on said shoulder.

4. The device of claim 2 further characterized by the fact that saidchain supporting means include a wire clip having its edges supported onsaid shoulder and having a formed loop intermediate said edges forreception of said chain.

5. The device of claim 1 further characterized by the fact that saidsupport shoulder projects inwardly towards the interior of said pouchwith the same being formed on one edge wall thereof between said fiatwalls.

6. A key case of the character described, comprising;

(1) a unitary flexible open-end pouch formed of rubbery material andincluding substantially parallel fiat wall surfaces that integrallymerge with the edge portions of said pouch;

(2) at least one support shoulder formed in the body portion of saidpouch;

(3) chain supporting means supported interiorly of said pouch on saidsupport shoulder at a spaced distance from said open end of said pouch;

(4) a key chain having its ends connected to form an endless loop (a)carried by said chain supporting means and (b) having a lengthsufficient to permit the same to be extended in free condition throughsaid open end to a position exteriorly of said pouch,

and (c) freely hanging in a plane that is at substantially right anglesto said wall surfaces whereby a key carried on said chain will bedisposed in substantial parallelism with said wall surfaces.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSFOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Sept. 13, 1961

1. A KEY CASE OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, COMPRISING; (1) A UNITARYFLEXIBLE OPEN-END POUCH FORMED OF RUBBERY MATERIAL AND INCLUDINGSUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL FLAT WALL SURFACES THAT INTEGRALLY MERGE WITH THEEDGE WALLS OF SAID POUCH; (2) AT LEAST ONE SUPPORT SHOULDER FORMED INTHE BODY PORTION OF SAID POUCH; (3) CHAIN SUPPORTING MEANS SUPPORTEDINTERIORLY OF SAID POUCH BY SAID SUPPORT SHOULDER; (4) A KEY CHAINHAVING ITS ENDS CONNECTED TO FORM AN ENDLESS LOOP (A) CARRIED BY SAIDCHAIN SUPPORTING MEANS AND (B) HAVING A LENGTH SUFFICIENT TO PERMIT THESAME TO BE EXTENDED IN FREE CONDITION THROUGH SAID OPEN END TO APOSITION EXTERIORLY OF SAID POUCH.